IlonaM

Dame Joan Plowright https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/dame-joan-plowright-death-b2681416.html

Tony Slattery - I used to love his improv on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, not to mention HIGNFY and Just A Minute. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jan/14/comedian-tony-slattery-dies-aged-65-after-heart-attack

Key dates from the Guardian: 'Energy caps to stamp duty changes: your personal finance diary for January-April 2025' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/dec/31/energy-caps-to-stamp-duty-changes-your-personal-finance-diary-for-january-april-2025

Guardian article from Thursday - 'British energy firms told to offer ‘zero’ standing charge tariff by next winter Ofgem aims to provide choice as Martin Lewis describes daily fees as a ‘poll tax’ on gas and electricity bills' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/dec/12/british-energy-firms-zero-standing-charge-tariff-ofgem-martin-lewis

Article in today's Standard: 'Food prices set to rise almost 5% next year in new cost of living squeeze Supermarket prices will have shot up by 40% from 2020 to 2025 warns industry body in major threat to living standards' https://www.standard.co.uk/business/food-prices-inflation-cost-of-living-budget-national-insurance-b1199560.html

Unfortunately no shows and disappearing buyers do happen on the forum as elsewhere. Sometimes life events interrupt plans (accidents, early baby arrivals etc. - both have happened to my buyers in the past!); other times people are just a little too casual. I find that in life event cases the buyer is usually very apologetic and I try to accomodate them. In the other cases I growl inwardly and see if anyone else bites!! I have found that my stress is lowered if I don't give out my address etc until a time and date for collection is made - not always a 100% guarantee, but it helps. As a side note, I'm sorry you were insulted. Personal remarks where we might be missing key information are never kind or helpful and best avoided!

Have a look at the information and advice on the Information Commissioner's website: https://ico.org.uk/for-the-public/home-cctv-systems/ . There has also been some caselaw regarding cctv and Ring doorbells/cameras overlooking neighbouring properties i.e. Fairhurst v Woodward from October 2021 (law firm summary of case: https://www.saunders.co.uk/news/gdpr-vs-ring-doorbells-infringement-of-privacy-or-reasonable-safety-precautions/). I do have a copy of the decision somewhere, if I can find it I'll add it: https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Fairhurst-v-Woodard-Judgment-1.pdf You said that the house concerned is a Council property? It would be worth finding out if the cctv was installed by the Council or residents and the reason why (i.e. antisocial behaviour/recent burglaries etc.). Your councillor could help with this.

You could contact Council Adult Social Care Services by email as well. Usually recipient has to be in so they can be told code and shown how to access the keysafe. Are you under Southwark? In which case: 'You can contact Southwark adult social care by: Emailing [email protected] or calling 020 7525 3324 for adults with a physical or sensory disability or who are 65 or older'

Increase in cap confirmed by Ofgem: 'Average annual energy bill to rise to £1,738 in Great Britain from January Increase in energy price cap by Ofgem follows 10% rise for current quarter, heaping more pressure on households' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/nov/22/average-annual-energy-bill-rise-to-great-britain-january-enegry-price-cap-ofgem And, Martin Lewis advice: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/martin-lewis-energy-price-cap-ofgem-bills-b2651772.html

Guardian article today: 'Energy suppliers to spend £500m to cushion pain of rising bills Exclusive: Government helps to broker deal involving 12 suppliers following winter fuel payment cuts' https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/nov/20/energy-suppliers-spend-500m-cushion-pain-winter-fuel-payments-cut

Guardian article: 'Britons warned to expect ‘disappointing’ rise in energy bills in January Price cap for Great Britain forecast to rise to £1,736 a year for average dual-fuel bill, according to Cornwall Insights' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/nov/18/energy-bills-rise-in-january-price-cap-great-britain-dual-fuel-bill

Guys, this is an informational thread not one for de bate. Please move your debate to the Lounge. Many thanks.

What lovely news.

'Interpol campaign to identify remains of women in Europe expands to 46 cases Police forces in France, Italy and Spain join cold-case initiative after launch last year of Operation Identify Me' https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/08/interpol-police-campaign-to-identify-women-europe-cold-cases

Very interesting article in the Guardian today: '‘Palestinians are taking the stand’: can legal challenges to Israel’s war in Gaza stop the continuing onslaught?' https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/04/israel-gaza-war-international-law

I use Ancestry as my main tree base, but also have found Trove (a free Australian service) amazing if you have Aus/NZ ancestors. Sometimes a google of a name brings back surprises, especially for war service, etc. I built up a very good Australian and NZ section of my tree for free using google initially for one name which took me to Trove, where I stayed for ages, and this was before I started looking for the UK-based ancestors on Ancestry. Should really have given link for Trove - sorry: https://trove.nla.gov.au

Article in today's Independent might be of interest: https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/tripledemic-meaning-covid-spread-nhs-b2623294.html

Direct link: https://www.nationalbooktokens.com/nominate-a-young-person-to-win-a-national-book-token?utm_medium=email&utm_source=nbt&utm_campaign=20240919-young-people-prize&utm_content=win 'Win one of five £250/€250 National Book Tokens for a young person! Books are vital for school and university, but thousands of people aged 16 to 24 don't just read books because they have to – they read books because they love them. That's why we're giving you the chance to nominate someone to receive £250/€250 to spend on new books of their choice from the bookshops they love!' 'Simply complete our entry form and tell us the name of the reader you'd love to see receive one of five £250 National Book Tokens. Nominations close after Sunday 20th October. '

Thought this might be of interest on an overcast day ... https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2024/oct/03/aerial-photography-england-1930s https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/gallery/2024/oct/03/1930s-england-from-the-air-in-pictures

Guardian article 1st Oct 2024: 'Starmer urged to help households as energy bills rise by £149 a year Resolution Foundation research shows 7.7m households likely to struggle to heat homes this winter' https://www.theguardian.com/money/2024/oct/01/starmer-urged-to-help-households-as-energy-bills-rise-by-149-a-year

'The average domestic energy bill is set to fall by 1% in January in a glimmer of good news for households, according to experts. Energy consultancy Cornwall Insight said it expects the typical household’s energy bill to drop to an annual £1,697 a year from January 1 from the £1,717 cap that takes effect from October 1. Prices are also forecast to fall slightly in both the second and third quarters of next year.' https://www.standard.co.uk/business/business-news/energy-price-cap-predicted-to-fall-in-january-in-glimmer-of-hope-for-households-b1184970.html